Annulus-reinforcing band

• US 8,747,475 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2010
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spineology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spineology Incorporated
• Inventors: Kuslich, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Ellen C
• Application Number:
  US12/894,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20110213463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.12, 623/17.16
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7095 the filler comprising unlinked macroscopic particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7098 wherein the implant is permeable or has openings, e.g. fenestrated screw hollow surgical screws A61B17/864
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4601 for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2821 Bone stimulation by electromagnetic fields or electric current for enhancing ossification
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4495 having a fabric structure, e.g. made from wires or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4631 the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 : toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00071 : Nickel or Ni-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures

Abstract

A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.

Claims

1. A method for repairing or replacing the nucleus of a spinal intervertebral disc, comprising:

providing a generally flexible double walled mesh member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space, the double walled mesh member comprising an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall, the inner circumferential wall defining an open interior space, the inner circumferential wall and outer circumferential wall defining a toroidal space therebetween, the mesh member including an opening through which fill material may be introduced into the toroidal space, the mesh member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the open interior space;

inserting the mesh member into the intervertebral space;

inserting the fill material into the open interior space of the mesh member through the inner circumferential wall; and

inserting fill material into the toroidal space of the mesh member such that the filled toroidal space provides additional strength and radial support to the intervertebral disc.

2. A method for repairing or replacing the nucleus of a spinal intervertebral disc, comprising:

inserting a mesh tubular body into an intervertebral space;

inserting a first fill material into a center opening of the mesh tubular body defined by an inner circumferential wall; and

inserting a second fill material into a toroidal space of the mesh tubular body such that the filled toroidal space is defined between the inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first fill material and the second fill material are the same.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising overlapping a portion of the inner circumferential wall with the outer circumferential wall.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising deploying the mesh member via a delivery device.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of inserting a first fill material into an open interior space of the mesh member defined by an inner circumferential wall includes inserting a tapered end of a fill tool into the open interior space, thereby pushing aside a plurality of fibers comprising the inner circumferential wall.